Stamp-printing device.



N. 889,357. l PATEN'IED JUNE 2, 1908.

F. C. CARROLL. STAMP PRINTING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 11, 1907. f

' 3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

No. 889,357. PATENTED .TUNE 2, 1908.

' E. C. CARROLL.

STAMP PRINTING DEVICE. APPLICATION PILBDMAY 11, 1907.

SHEETS-SHEET 2.

I No. 889,357. PATENTBD JUNE 2, 1908.

I. C. CARROLL.

STAMP PRINTING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAVY 11, 1907.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

To all whom-'it mat/concern.'

" do away Iselves by matten?.

,iger with the recording yliines, behind vit and showing the escapement teeth and dogs all in 'f parts "maniierkto meet the requirements, but I have 5,5.,

new and useful improvement in Stamp#v `Printing full, clear, and exact: descripton, reference sta-hip is plishing "2o ties before it may be used again.' lregistering. or recording may be had 'before va lcombination of arts "vertical'section through the 'center of the device showing Fig. 2 is a vertical section looking at thefront 4 at' the "parts,4 Fig. i

v vkey.

` UNITED- STATES PATENT QFFICE.

FRANK c. CARROLL, or rAiNRsviLLn-oiiio.

f STAMP-PRINTING DEVICE.

l'e'it known that "I, FRANK C. CARROLL, y residing at Painesvillef, in the county 'of Lake and" State of Ohio have invented a certain Devices, of which the following is a being had to the accompanying drawings.

It is the lobject of the present invention to d o faway,' so to speak, with the present sys teni of supplying. postage stamps or in fact to entirely with the lstamps them. Vtheu'seo'f a hand operated device, whichlitselflis adapted to' rmt andemboss thefpo'stage" stamps direct y uponfthe mail v Specification of Letters Patient. Appitcation steamy 11, 1907. seriai No. 373.170.

I "bringing about vthe above object a hand employed' for the purpose of accomtlieprinting andembossing7 and in order' to prevent the promiscuous use of the device and toke'epitdunder the control of the authorites means is provided whereby a pre# determined number offsta'mps maybe rinted after which a further operation of dbvice is prevented; It is. necessary to then have the device wound up and set by; the authori- A suitable device 'is arranged in conjunction with the device so that the user may know 'at any time howy many operations re-setting-is necessary. VThe invention may be further briefly suinmariied as consisting in the construction and herewith set forth in rawings, description and the following' c claims. j t

, Referring to the drawings Figure 1 is a portions thereof in elevation,.

of the device, Fig. 3 is a section. on the line looking to the left, Fig. 4 is afront elevation of the register operating plundrum shown in dott-ed dotted lines, Fig. `5 is a into the same and' plan view of the registering drum, Fig. 6 is a section' upon 'the line 61-.6` of- Fig. l1 looking 7 isl a bottom plan of the device g'. and'Fig. S is a view ofthe winding In carrying. out invention the.v various may be constructed in any' desired drawings, wherein as shown in Figs.

1 represents a suitable base, which is Patented June 2,1190 8.

vided with a cylindricalportion 2. )Tiese arts receive all of the recording mechanisinjinthe forward end `of the basel is an ppen-jfdo ted toreceive a recorder operating' ing 3 ada plunger s eeve -4 having a reduced portion 5 which'projects above the-surface of the base i purpose of'receiving a pin 7 project-ing into` thesaine. provided with for -a purpose 'to ybe described.' Internally ring 11 which bears upon a shoulderof a p ug 12 threaded at its 1 and 2, and a slot 6 for the On the opposite side the sleeve is 51 a dog 8 and a holding dog 9 the plunger sleeve 4 has a shoulder 10 i'eceiv- `ing the t thrust of a s lower end into'the base 1 and fitting nicely withinthereduced portion 5 of the sleeve .4. From the construction of theseparts it will be seen that the plunger sleeve' l will 'always assume its uppermost position with `the re duced portion 5 projecting above the 'base' and also that it is held against. rotation by reason of the engagementl of thejpink T linthe slot 6. It isalso quite obvious thitf't'he plungersleeve may be moved'down'iig-:inist-V the tension of its spring.'

The cylindrical portion 2 ot' the base ispioe vided with an opening 13 which eite'nds from-Y one end ofsuch portion tothe otliei anda-om-v municates with the opening At the bottom of the cylindrical portion 'lof the llitiseis a slot 14 which communicates with theopen ing 13 and extends almost 'the entire length of 4said cylindrical portion.' Threaded'linto the end of the cylindrical portion -2 is at sup portingtplug` 15, which'hasa cylindrical pro jection lextendingwellinto the opening 1'3 and also has an enlarged portion 17 which ex- -J tends to a less distance into the opening. Rotatably mounted upon the-portions 16 and 17 is a recording drinn bearing directly upoii the portion 17, and the 1S Vone end of thedruin otherhaving ya cup shaped plug 19 threaded having an opening therein which receives andwbears upon tlieportion 16. The plug 15 isv provided with aceiitrally 'located-opening or-l passageway 2() extending from end to end; and the cup shaped plugl 1 9 is provided with a redt-iced vportion20-? 'extendingl beyond the forward end of the recording drum 18 and having a threaded opening ZObin line with the opening or passage.-v

iepg;

w'ay 20 but slightly smaller in diameter.` T; shank ofthe winding key 230,shown in Fig.

8, is adaptedto be insertedinto -the opening vor passageway 20 and to be screwed iii-to the -more fully. 'end in`the cup shaped4 plug 19 and at the otherl end in the enlarged portion '17 in a manner such that the drum 18 may be wound vup and at the same time the spring will exert its tension in forcing the drum toward the plunger sleeve- 4. The drum 18 is provided upon its periphery with ya spiral groove or recess 22 which is continued substantially through the length of the same with uniform pitch except near the right end as shown in F ig. 5 at 23 where it is continued at a greater pitch for a purpose which will later appear. Upon that end of the drum which is nearest to the plunger sleeve are a plurality of teeth 24 having their points projecting inward as shown in Figs. -3 and 4. These` teeth are adapted for engagement with the dogs 8 and 9 and their mode" of operation is as follows: When the 'drum 18-has been wound against lthe tension of the spring by pulling it out to the left as will obvious y follow from the construction shown in Fig. 1, so that the teeth and the dogs are out of engagement, and

' then is permitted to move back so that ythe teeth and the dogs are' in engagement, then the drum is held againstgrotation bythe engagement of tlieuflat side of the uppermost tooth 24 with the-flatside of the dog, 8, the holding dog Qbeing thenout of engagement on account of its being mounted on the plunger sleeve just a little above the path of the teeth 24, as 'f clearly shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4. As the lunger. sleeve 4 moves down, however, the with which it is in engagement, but before such release takes place the holding dog 9 has moved into the'pathof the nearest tooth and upon the complete release by the dog 8 will catch such tooth only permitting a slight rotation or escapement to the drum 18 just sufficient to carry the point ofthe upper tooth beyond the point of dog 8. U on the1 return movement of the plunger' s eeve 4 the holdinodog 9 releases its tooth by moving up the incrlined face thereof permitting-the drum to rotate under the action of the spring untilI the dog 8 catches the next succeeding tooth to the one which it had previously engaged. A small set screw 185 passes through the supporting plug 15 and bears against the end of drum 18 so as to prevent an endwise movement of the'drum.

The plug 12 is provided with an opening which receives the shank 25 of the lower die y member 26. These parts are /formed by bringing the uppefdle.y member to be described down againstthfe plunger sleeve reduced portion 5,

en pouring molten metal through the opening in the plug 12 to fill up the opening and to form at the to an ex'act counterpart ofthe upper die mem er. I

A suitable lock is provided for preventing 0g releases the tooth 24.

ressing it down .in its more than a predetermined number of operations ofthe device and it consists of a slide 27 which takes against the sides of the slot 14v and carries a plate 28, which extends from the same partly around the drum-18 and be-l yond the edges of the slot 14, as shown in dotted line in Fig. 7. This plate 28 forms a guide for the slide 27 A: in 29 projects from the slide and plate an into 'the spiral recess 22, whereby upon a movement of the drum there will be a shifting of thel-slide in the groove or recess.- The slide 27 is 4further provided with a sight opening 29a through upon the drum 18 may be read, and with a projection-3Q, which is adapted to take under the lower' edge of the plunger sleeve 4 when the vpin 29 is moved by its engagement with the side of the cam groove 23, previously described. .This final movement of the slide is more rapid than the previous movement on account of the lincrease in pitch of the groove 23 and is sufficient to bring the projection 30 com letely under f le lower edge of the plunger s eeve, thus f .eventing the same from being 'moved dor v.iward or in other words preventing any r ore impressions or stamps be# ing printed bj. the device, until it has been rewound orresget by the proper -authorities;

The stamping mechanism which actuates the recording mechanism and makes the impression is carried by a bracket 30 secured upon the top of the cylindrical portion 2. This bracket 30 has a tubular portion 31 which is arranged .so that an opening 32 therein is directly over and in alinement with the reduced portion 5 of the plunger sleeve 4. It is also provided with a raised ridge 33 extendingas is shown in full and dotted lines .in Fig. 1 for the purpose of supporting a casing 34. j

Slidablyrnounted in the tubular portion 31 is a tubular member 35 provided with a slot 36, adapted to receivel a stop 37 'secured to the bracket 30 and having an eye 38 on the inner end fitting loosely within the tubular portion 35 and taking aroundthe rod 39, secured in the hand piece 40 at the top and in the shank 41 of the upper die plate 42 which die plate 42 has on the under side thereof a die v43. Between the rod 39 and the inner Wall Iof the tubular member 35 is a coiled spring 44, which takes at the top against the hand piece 40 and at the bottom against the eye 38 carried by the stop 37. This spring normally holds the tubular p0rtion 35 with the die plate and its die in their uppermost position.

The arrangement of the parts thus described is such that when a pressure is brought` to bear upon the hand piece the tubular member 32 moves down Within the tnbularportion 31 and a ring 43a upon the lower face of the die plate 42 engages in an annular recess 51v in the edge of the reduced which 'suitable graduations or indicationsv portion 5 of the plunger sleeve 4 and causes kthe same tolmove Adown until the up er die engages the lower die member carriediy the plug.- 12. l The downward movement of the plunger sleeve 4'brings about'the shifting ofthe dogs 8 and 9 'among'v the teeth 24 carried .by the registering orrecording drum 1.8, and when the tubular member is released and moves upward by the action of the spring 44 and the plunger sleeve 4 returns to normal position, thejrecording drum 18 hasescaped one step, as previously described.

Suitable mechanism is provided for inking the up er die member and 'it consists of a ypair of inks 45 pivoted'on pins '46 which are rigidly secured in the bracket 30 and have bosses 47 thereon, which'space the links from the bracket, as shown in Fig. 6. These links which is secured thereto .by means of screws 49. The free ends of these links carry' a shaft 50, upon which is mounted an inking roll 51 adapted to ride over the die and a pair of rollers v52, which areladapted to ride lupon a pair of platesf5-3 secured to the sides of the didi plate 42. T helower edges 54 of these plates 53 are straight and extend parallelwith the plane of the die. The rear -edges 55, however, extend at right angles to the edges 54, whereby the rollers `52 travel along the edges 54 in the process of inking the die upon the downward movement of the same' and may then move up along the 'rear ends 55. Ay suitable' spring 56 is provided for holding the links 'with linking roller'and the rollers52 against the die and against the l nedges of the plates 53.

i Afterthe printin(y device has been set by i 40;"the proper authorities having the control or ff custody of the resetting or winding key, the 'l opening in which the key is inserted may be sealed in any desiredmanner so that it can ,f not be tampered with or reset by one Without authority. When the device has been operated the predetermined number of timesit must be taken to `the authorities and reset or rewound before it can be used again. To reset the device the key 20C is insertedin the -ed opening 20". After the small se't screw is unscrewed or with drawn the drum is pulled outward until the teeth -on the forward end l thereof are free of the dogs 8 and 9, and is 55. then turned or wound by the key against the tension of the spring until the locking device has been vmoved away from -the plunger a certain distance depending upon the number of stamping or printing operations desired before another resetting is necessary. The

'drum can then be permitted ,tof move 'forward with the teethfinengagement with the i i' if?, dogs after which the key can be removed.

*f Having describedmy invention, l claim:

i i l, ,l 1. a printing device, a traveling locking 46 are coupled together by a cross piece 48,

passageway 20 and screwed into the threadl member adapted to be set at different initial positions so as to permitpredetermined numbers of operations of said printing device.

2. Ina printing device, printing or-stamping mechanism, a locking device adapted to be moved by each operation of the printing mechanism, and means for settingsaid llocking device for a predetermined numberor` operations. l

3. In combination, printing or stamping mechanism, a movable locking device for limiting the -number of printing or stamping operations, and means for setting said locking device at diiierent initial positions to permit predetermined numbers of operations of said printing or stamping mechanism.

4. In combination, printing oi stamping mechanism, means .for limiting the number of operations of said mechanism, said means comprising a movable member adapted to be set inan initial position and to be moved at each operation of the printing or stamping .mechanism until it reaches a position where it prevents Jfurther operations of thc printing or stamping mechanism. I.

5. In a printing device, .printing or stamping mechanism, a longitudinally movable locking member adapted to be moved at each operation of ythe printing mechanism, and means for setting said locking member at ditierent positions for diiierent numbers of op- 'erations of: the printing mechanism.v

6. In combination, printing or..stamping mechanism, means for limiting-the number of operations of said mechanism, said means comprising a longitudinally movable locking deviceand means for moving said device for- Ward a fixed distance for each operation of said mechanism until it reaches a certain position .when further operations of said mechanism are impossible until 'said device is reset.

7. In combination, printing or stamping mechanism, means for limiting the number of operations of said mechanism, said means comprising a movable locking member and an escapement device for permitting a step by step movement of said locking member at each operation of said mechanism until said locking member reachesvacertain position when further operations are rendered impossible.

8. In combination, printing or stamping mechanism. adapted to be operated a predetermined number of times, and a traveling locking member adapted to be shifted at each -operation of the device and finally to engage a `movable member oi"v the device so as to prevent Jfurther operations.-

.the numberrof operations of said mechanism.

I10. lIn a printing device,`f printing or stamping mechanism, and.meanscompiising a spring pressedrotary memberfor govern- 9. In a printing device, printing or stamping mechanism, and means comprising a i spring pressed rotary member for governing ingthe number ot operationsof said mechanism, and an escapement device operable at each operation osaid mechanism.

1 1. AIn. a printing device,l printing or stampingmechanism, and means comprising a spring. .pressedrotary drum governing the number o operations of said'mechanism, and' v -o l an `escapement device operableeat each opera;-

" tion fsaid mechanism;

12,111-- a printing-device," printing or 1Stamping" mechanism, means comprising a I vspring,pressed. rotary* member for. governing it e' numberoi operations oisaid mechanism,-

fthe -plu-nger against movement.

'and la lockingimember movable longitudinally of: said member; '13. In?" 'af-printing device, printingY or' "stamping-mechanism, adapted to be 'set for a" predetermined number of operations,l and means oo ml'prising` a spring pressedl rotary drum and 'aj locking member movable. longi.- inally thereof for controlling the number' .of operations ofjs'aidm'echaiiism. 14. In Ja rinting device, I printing'- or stamping mec anism, adapted to be set for a.

predetermined-ninnber oioperations, and

means comprising a spring; pressed ro't'ary I -drum-and a lockingfmem rj movable longi-` tudinally thereof for-controlling the number` of operationsy of said' mechanism, and an es' oapeinent devicepermitting a movement-of the drum. at each operation of vthe printing mechanism.

l-.ln a printing dev-ice, printing" or stamping mechanism, ada ted :to be set for a 'predetermined number -o operations, and means for; controlling the number of operationsof saidfmecha'nisin, said means com- .prising a rotarydrum having a spiral groove and a` locking device. engaging said -groove 4'0` and movablelongitudinally of said drum.

16. ncombination, printing or stamping` stamechanism, .comprising cooperating tionary'and vmovable members, aplunger normally-' 'extending .above said stationary *member and means for limiting the number vof operations said mechanism `comprising- .adevice-adapte'd to hold said plunger in 'its upper position.V

In combination, -`printing or stamping 'mechanismjadapted to operate a redeterminednumberof timeaaplun er@ apted to be moved at .each operation o said mechanism, a. spring actuated rotary membercon- -vtrollsc l-'by sai i plunger and means controlled 'bythe-movement ofsaid member forlocking 1 ncombination, rinting or stamping terminednumberof'times, a plunger adapted fte be moved at veacho'peration of said mech- 'anism', arotarydrum controlled by said plungerjfand' allockingrdevice-ada ted tobe .mved by' said drunitowar'd sai plunger.

19.5111 combinatiomf rinting or stamping mechanism, adaptedto' i mechanism adapted to eoperated a prede-- e operated avpredef,

tei-mined number of times, a plunger adapted to be moved at each operation ofsaid mechranism, a rotary .spring actuated drum-controlled 'by said plunger and a lookin member adapted to 'be moved longitudinal y of 'said drum at each movement thereof.

' 20. In combination, printing or stam ing mechanism, andV aregisteringor recor lng device comprising a spring actuated drum,

'said drum vbeing ca able' of twodistinct movements for. unloc `ng and Winding the 3 ..21.l In. combination, printing orstampin'g- 'mechanism, a registering or recording device l comprising a spring lactuated drum,- and means forA unlocking said drum .and wind'- comprising a spring actuated drum, an es-l ln: Combii 1ation, .printing or lstamping l mechanism,a registeringjor recording device soy capement device-therefor, means for moving' the drum inoneA direction to separate the parts', of the escapement device, and means Wherebysaid drum may be moved. 23,'. -lnaombinatioml printing or stamping mechanism, anda registering or recording ldevice comprising a rotary spring actuated mechanism, adapted to e. operated a predetermined number of times, a registering or recording device comprising a spring actuated rotary drum and an escapement mechanism therefor comprising 'a dog or projectionadapted to be actuated bythe printing mechanism. i

27. In combination, printing'or stamping mechanism, a rotary drum adapted' to move at each printing or stamping operation, and" an escapement therefor comprising coper- `ating teeth and dogs.'

28.' In combination, 'rinting or stamping mechanism adapted to be set for a predetermined number of operations, a rotary spring actuated drum, andan escapement therefor comprising teeth on the drum, and a dog or projection adapted lto be actat'ed by the printing mcchanism.\

29. In combination7 printingv or stamping mechanism adapted to e set for a predetcrf mined number of operations', a rotary drum having teeth on the-en dthereof, one or', more teeth or dogs adapted to be 'actuated by thev teet printing mechanism to cause a movement thereof. f

30. In combination, printing or stamping lmechanism a rotary spring actuated drum having escapement teeth, `and a phmger adapted to be actuated by the printing mechanism' and having one or more teeth or dogs ada ted to coperate'with the es'capement on the drum to permit a movement thereof at eachprinting or stamping operation.

31. In combination,1printing or stamping mechanism,' a rotary spring actuated drum,

a plunger adapted to be movedat each printing or stamping operation, an escapement for said drum comprising coperatin teeth and dogs lcarried bythe drumand p unger, and means for moving the teeth and dogs out of'engagement to permit the drum to bev wound.

32. In combination, printingor stamping mechanism, a rotary spring actuated drum having teeth on the end thereof, a plunger adapted to be actuated at each printin or' stamping operation, said pllunger having ogs or teeth cooperating the teeth on the drum to permita movement of the drum at each printing or stamping operation, and means for moving the teeth out of engagement with they dogs or teeth on the plunger to permit the drum to be wound or set.

33. In a printing device, printing or stamping mechanism, a rotary memberl adapted'to be given a predetermined movement at each printing or stamping operation, said member v aving a spiral groove or slot, a movable member engaging said groove and adapted to bemoved thereby and means for increasing the throw or movement ofsaid member after a predetermined/ movement of said rotary member, 4so as -to lock said rotary member.

v 34. In a printing device, printing or stam ing mechanism, a rotary drum adapted to e rotated at each printing or stam ing operation, said drum having aspira groove or slot, and atraveling locking device engaging lsaid groove and means for increasing the moved at each rinting or stamping operation,

said drum having a spiral groove or slot, one end of'saidgroove orslot having a greater pitch than the remainder, and a movable member engaging said groove or slot.

37. In a printing device, printing or stamping mechanism, a plunger actuated thereby, a rotary drum adapted tobe moved at each printing or stamping operation, said drum aving a spiral groove, a portion of' said groove adjacent the plunger having a greater itch than the remainder, and a movable ocking device engaging said groove and adaptedto bemoved in the path of movement of said plunger by said portion having a greater pitch. n testimony whereof I afixmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

" FRANK o CARROLL.

Witnesses:

Af F. Kwis, RAEv Wnrss. 

